Lindt & Spruengli proposes dividend hike as 2022 sales, profit climb (updated)

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG

07/03/2023 06:37

(Adds additional details on results, dividend and board
members)
       ZURICH, March 7 (Reuters) - Lindt & Spruengli  LISN.S 
said its 2022 profit rose and the Swiss chocolate maker also
proposed a higher dividend payout on Tuesday, despite a
challenging year that saw inflationary price hikes dampen
consumer sentiment in key markets.
    Net income rose to 569.7 million Swiss francs ($612.78
million), beating the 566 million francs forecast by analysts at
Zuercher Kantonalbank.
    The manufacturer of Lindor balls and gold foil-wrapped
Easter bunnies said it achieved an operating margin of 15% last
year, in line with its forecast.
    It proposed a dividend of 1,300 francs per registered share,
up from the 1,200 francs last year. 
    Lindt already released 2022 organic sales growth of 8.4% in
January and maintained its sales growth target of 6-8% despite
saying it expects a challenging 2023 due to the inflationary
environment.
    Monique Bourquin has been nominated for the board of
directors, the chocolate manufacturer said, adding that Antonio
Bulgheroni has taken the decision to no longer stand as a
candidate at the upcoming annual general meeting.

    ($1 = 0.9297 Swiss francs)
    

 (Reporting by Noele Illien; Editing by Christopher Cushing and
Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
 ((Noele.Illien@thomsonreuters.com; +41 41 528 39 73;))